According to Trooper Andrew Valeri, the Andover State Police barracks received numerous reports of a 2014 Nissan Altima traveling more than 100 mph southbound in the northbound lane of Route 3, officials said.

The vehicle was then involved in a crash at 1:33 a.m. on Route 3 north, before the Drum Hill rotary. The driver, a 42-year-old woman from Nashua, New Hampshire, struck a 2010 Dodge Avenger being operated by a 21-year-old man from Hudson, New Hampshire. The Nissan struck the Dodge head-on, state police said.

Traffic lanes were closed for about three hours during the preliminary investigation.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was taken to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Their names were not released.

State Police were assisted on scene by Chelmsford Fire and EMS, MassDOT and the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Ryan said the Chelmsford Fire Department was dispatched at 1:33 a.m. in response to the crash, on Route 3 North before the Drum Hill rotary.

"Upon arrival, the emergency crews found two rolled over motor vehicles with a patient trapped inside each car. The engine crews performed extrication on both vehicles using the Jaws of Life tool to remove the patients," Ryan said.

The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and Crime Scene Services Section. The Chelmsford Independent will publish more information as available.